WORDS: THOMAS OPSTRUP
PHOTOGRAPHY RETOUCHING: THOMAS OPSTRUP
#more racing bikes of 2021 – part 2
In this article ‘More racing bikes of 2021’ I present some of the bikes you were missing from the first part of ‘Best bikes of 2021‘ I collected all your comments and from here selected 12 of your chosen bikes.
For the best racing bikes of 2021 some trends are visible:
-Lightweight bikes seems to get more aerodynamic
-Tire clearance still getting bigger
-Internal cabeling
-Press-fit bottom brackets is on decline
-Wider wheels to supplement the wider tires
-Disc brakes instead of rim brakes
A little bit about weight
Weight is indicative from the manufacture. Because a small Frame weigh less than a big frame the indication without stating what Frame size it is just an indication. Unless it is mentioned here calculate that the manufacture use a small Frame for presenting the weight.
Also remember some weights mentioned are with paint and others without paint. So this adds +/- 40-100 g. To the equation. Normally the producer will mentioned the weight with a small frame without paint.
Remember that 100-200 g. more or less frame weight will do close to nothing for you performance even on the steppest mountain. So never judge a frame by its weight alone. I would even say that some very light frames will not be very durable. When famous brands like Colnago and Pinarello makes more heavy and sturdy bikes it is not because they do not have the knowhow to make lighter frames. It is because they choose to balance durability and lightness.
The building quality, the material quality, the geometry, the details, the paint quality, is much more important factors if you ask me. Not all carbon are created equal, and not all bottom bracket solution is as good as another etc.
You are always welcome to comment on this article; More Racing bikes of 2021 below. I would love to hear your input?
SCOTT ADDICT
Scott ADDICT RC ULTIMATE BIKE
Lightweight? Obviously. Fast? You betcha. Now with more integration than ever before, the Addict RC Ultimate will give you all the competitive advantage you need, should that be for taking your town’s KOMs one by one, sprinting to that mountain top finish or edging out the rest of the field in your local criterium.
Challenge conquests. But similarities unite. Like all the best love stories, De Rosa and Pininfarina came together through shared values: born from family craftsmanship, the passion for innovation, the continuous search for high-performance, artisanship and attention to detail. Today, after 4 years, the two companies collaborate again to realize the New SK Pininfarina, modern and elegant that – as the previous one – aims to be one of the best racing bikes of 2021.
For the rider who’s put in the miles and honed their training regime to perfection, the Litening C:68X SLT is the bike to beat. Built around our high-tech carbon æro chassis with 30% drag reduction, the Sram Red AXS wireless groupset puts precise gear changes and powerful braking at your fingertips. A brand-new Swiss DT ARC wheelset with a new æro profile matches the frame’s wind-cheating credentials perfectly. And low weight and day-long comfort ensure you’ll perform at your peak, hour after hour.
Fast, just got faster. A pure road bike. Light, smooth and ultra fast. The evolution of the classic race machine.
The frame features highly truncated airfoil tube shapes that offer the same weight, and equal or better stiffness than round tubes, but reduces drag up to 30%
Cannondale’s premium high-strength, high-stiffness carbon construction. A sophisticated blend of high-strength and high stiffness fibers yields a frame that’s extremely light, lively and durable.
We use the most technologically advanced carbon construction available to make the most sophisticated frame possible – A complex and painstaking process with results you will appreciate in the saddle.
Optimized layups and fewer frame pieces reduces weight. Optimum carbon compaction allows us to use less material
Lowered seat stays and optimized carbon structure and tubing shapes are elemental to building a comfortable frame that helps reduce muscle fatigue, and comfort makes you faster.
The OSTRO is an ‘everything’ bike, a quiver killer, a master of all trades. Searingly fast, incredibly light and supremely comfortable, it’s ready to win sprints, mountain stages and cobbled Classics. It’s the ultimate all-rounder because it refuses to compromise. If you’re the sort of rider who races with ‘the knife between your teeth’ no matter the parcours, this is the bike you’ve been waiting for. When we say you can have it all, we mean it.
A legend reborn. The bike that has been at the leading edge of road racing innovation for more than three decades is redesigned to be even lighter, stiffer and more aerodynamic. It’s the ultimate all-rounder for the performance obsessed.
Giant doesn’t make claims on frame weight, rather it gives the weight of a complete painted frameset (which means fork, headset, all metal hardware and seat clamp) as 1,266g.
inspired by mario cipollini’s vision, we developed this bike with one objective in mind: to bring together lightness, stiffness and maneuverability, to create the perfect frame.
together with many professional athletes, including the pro alè btc lubjana team, we tested more than 20 frames with different carbon fibre configurations. we consulted with aerospace companies to optimize the carbon fibre layering and create a frame with a perfect construction.
finally we found the definitive answer: Dolomia, agile uphill, fluid downhill.
The Noah Fast Disc is our top-level aero model and was built from scratch with every feature rebuilt. This powerhouse has no rival in cutting through wind thanks to component integrations of the fork, handlebar, seat post clamp, thru axles and cables, next to F-Surface Plus, F-Wings and spacer profile updates. On this bike every rider is able to find his perfect position accurate to 1mm as result of our whole bike approach, where every part needs to fit together perfectly.
Our 525 is the ultimate in balancing weight, aero and comfort. It will partner with Oliver Naesen on cobblestones or while battling the wind in the toughest Classics. Romain Bardet will use the bike during the toughest days in Grand Tours and Classics. Finding balance is the hardest thing in the world, but if you succeed it will be completely perfect.
Our high-performance carbon models with the CF5 frame feature a completely cable integrated Vision Metron 5D ACR carbon cockpit, improving aerodynamics and offering a super clean silhouette and cockpit area.
With aerodynamic optimisation at the fork, seat stays and a cable integrated cockpit the new REACTO offers even better values than its already class-topping predecessor.
Comfort has always been a key feature of the REACTO. Many aero bikes suffer from a harsh ride due to the larger tube sections and seat posts. Not so on the REACTO, where our profiled seat post behaves like a conventional seat post providing a significant level of comfort amongst other aero bikes.
In terms of weight, rigidity and especially aerodynamics, the Aerfast3 Pro Disc was developed at the highest level. The light frame is made of the highest quality carbon fibers. A special feature is the complete system integration of the brake and shift cables. The fork, which was specially designed for the Aerfast3, supports an optimization of the air flow thanks to its wide construction and also offers a large tire clearance. Due to the high rigidity values, the Aerfast3 delivers optimal power transmission. If you want to be very sporty on the road and value perfect driving characteristics and speed, you cannot do without this bike.
THE CREATION OF A PHOTO AT GIRO D'ITALIA ON ETNA WORDS: THOMAS OPSTRUP PHOTOGRAPHY: JAMES STARTT AND THOMAS OPSTRUP An incredible day started around 13 o’clock when I arrived at the first police road block in Milo - a smal town half way up on Etna. I had made an ingenious plan if I may [...]
Riding to the top of Etna with a group of Gentlemen and Ladies. The weather turns from cloudy to snowstorm. At the cafe on the top, I tell the group that there is to option to get down the mountain: 1. I call for 2 mini busses to pick us up. The con of this solution is that you have to wait several hours for your rescue. Option 2: we descent down this will mean that you will freeze for around 25 min. more than you have ever frozen in your life. What are you going to do?
More Racing bikes of 2021 – part 2
WORDS: THOMAS OPSTRUP
PHOTOGRAPHY RETOUCHING: THOMAS OPSTRUP
#more racing bikes of 2021 – part 2
In this article ‘More racing bikes of 2021’ I present some of the bikes you were missing from the first part of ‘Best bikes of 2021‘ I collected all your comments and from here selected 12 of your chosen bikes.
For the best racing bikes of 2021 some trends are visible:
-Lightweight bikes seems to get more aerodynamic
-Tire clearance still getting bigger
-Internal cabeling
-Press-fit bottom brackets is on decline
-Wider wheels to supplement the wider tires
-Disc brakes instead of rim brakes
A little bit about weight
Weight is indicative from the manufacture. Because a small Frame weigh less than a big frame the indication without stating what Frame size it is just an indication. Unless it is mentioned here calculate that the manufacture use a small Frame for presenting the weight.
Also remember some weights mentioned are with paint and others without paint. So this adds +/- 40-100 g. To the equation. Normally the producer will mentioned the weight with a small frame without paint.
Remember that 100-200 g. more or less frame weight will do close to nothing for you performance even on the steppest mountain. So never judge a frame by its weight alone. I would even say that some very light frames will not be very durable. When famous brands like Colnago and Pinarello makes more heavy and sturdy bikes it is not because they do not have the knowhow to make lighter frames. It is because they choose to balance durability and lightness.
The building quality, the material quality, the geometry, the details, the paint quality, is much more important factors if you ask me. Not all carbon are created equal, and not all bottom bracket solution is as good as another etc.
You are always welcome to comment on this article; More Racing bikes of 2021 below. I would love to hear your input?
SCOTT ADDICT
Scott ADDICT RC ULTIMATE BIKE
Lightweight? Obviously. Fast? You betcha. Now with more integration than ever before, the Addict RC Ultimate will give you all the competitive advantage you need, should that be for taking your town’s KOMs one by one, sprinting to that mountain top finish or edging out the rest of the field in your local criterium.
Frameset weight: 850g for a size 54cm
SCOTT WEBSITE
REVIEWS:
www.cyclist.co.uk/reviews/7724/scott-addict-rc-ultimate-review
DE ROSA PININFARINA
De Rosa SK Pininfarina
Challenge conquests. But similarities unite. Like all the best love stories, De Rosa and Pininfarina came together through shared values: born from family craftsmanship, the passion for innovation, the continuous search for high-performance, artisanship and attention to detail. Today, after 4 years, the two companies collaborate again to realize the New SK Pininfarina, modern and elegant that – as the previous one – aims to be one of the best racing bikes of 2021.
Frame Weight: 950 g.
DEROSA WEBSITE
REVIEWS
bikerumor.com/2019/10/17/2020-de-rosa-sk-pininfarina-aero-road-bike-delivers-new-heart-for-italian-brand/
CUBE LITENING
Cube Litening 68X SLT
For the rider who’s put in the miles and honed their training regime to perfection, the Litening C:68X SLT is the bike to beat. Built around our high-tech carbon æro chassis with 30% drag reduction, the Sram Red AXS wireless groupset puts precise gear changes and powerful braking at your fingertips. A brand-new Swiss DT ARC wheelset with a new æro profile matches the frame’s wind-cheating credentials perfectly. And low weight and day-long comfort ensure you’ll perform at your peak, hour after hour.
Frame weight 980g for a size 56cm,
CUBE WEBSITE
REVIEWS
www.cyclingweekly.com/reviews/road-bikes/new-cube-litening-c68x-aero-race-bike-pushes-limits-uci-compliance
www.bikeradar.com/reviews/bikes/road-bikes/cube-litening-c68x-pro-review/
CANNONDALE SUPERSIX EVO
Cannondale Super Six Evo
Fast, just got faster. A pure road bike. Light, smooth and ultra fast. The evolution of the classic race machine.
The frame features highly truncated airfoil tube shapes that offer the same weight, and equal or better stiffness than round tubes, but reduces drag up to 30%
Cannondale’s premium high-strength, high-stiffness carbon construction. A sophisticated blend of high-strength and high stiffness fibers yields a frame that’s extremely light, lively and durable.
Frame weight: 866 g. Size 56 painted.
CANNONDALE WEBSITE
REVIEWS:
www.cyclingweekly.com/reviews/road-bikes/cannondale-supersix-evo-ultegra
granfondo-cycling.com/cannondale-supersix-evo-hi-mod-disc-dura-ace-2020-review/
ORBEA ORCA
Orbea Orca M11eLTD
We use the most technologically advanced carbon construction available to make the most sophisticated frame possible – A complex and painstaking process with results you will appreciate in the saddle.
Optimized layups and fewer frame pieces reduces weight. Optimum carbon compaction allows us to use less material
Lowered seat stays and optimized carbon structure and tubing shapes are elemental to building a comfortable frame that helps reduce muscle fatigue, and comfort makes you faster.
ORBEA WEBSITE
REVIEWS:
https://www.bikeradar.com/reviews/bikes/road-bikes/orbea-orca-omx-m10i-ltd-d-review/
FACTOR OSTRO
Factor Ostro
The OSTRO is an ‘everything’ bike, a quiver killer, a master of all trades. Searingly fast, incredibly light and supremely comfortable, it’s ready to win sprints, mountain stages and cobbled Classics. It’s the ultimate all-rounder because it refuses to compromise. If you’re the sort of rider who races with ‘the knife between your teeth’ no matter the parcours, this is the bike you’ve been waiting for. When we say you can have it all, we mean it.
Frame weight: 780g (painted, size 54)
FACTOR WEBSITE
REVIEWS:
www.bikeradar.com/news/factor-ostro-aero-bike/
road.cc/content/tech-news/factor-unleashes-ostro-lightweight-and-aero-race-bike-277067
GIANT ADVANCE SL
Giant TCR Advance SL Disc
A legend reborn. The bike that has been at the leading edge of road racing innovation for more than three decades is redesigned to be even lighter, stiffer and more aerodynamic. It’s the ultimate all-rounder for the performance obsessed.
Giant doesn’t make claims on frame weight, rather it gives the weight of a complete painted frameset (which means fork, headset, all metal hardware and seat clamp) as 1,266g.
GIANT WEBSITE
REVIEWS:
www.bikeradar.com/reviews/bikes/road-bikes/2021-giant-tcr-advanced-sl0-disc-review/
CIPOLLINI DOLOMIA
Cipollini Dolomia
inspired by mario cipollini’s vision, we developed this bike with one objective in mind: to bring together lightness, stiffness and maneuverability, to create the perfect frame.
together with many professional athletes, including the pro alè btc lubjana team, we tested more than 20 frames with different carbon fibre configurations. we consulted with aerospace companies to optimize the carbon fibre layering and create a frame with a perfect construction.
finally we found the definitive answer: Dolomia, agile uphill, fluid downhill.
Frame Weight: (M): 780 g.
CIPOLLINI WEBSITE
REVIEWS:
pezcyclingnews.com/technspec/cipollini-launches-dolomia-800g-monocoque-road-bike/
RIDLEY NOAH FAST
Ridley Noah Fast Disc
The Noah Fast Disc is our top-level aero model and was built from scratch with every feature rebuilt. This powerhouse has no rival in cutting through wind thanks to component integrations of the fork, handlebar, seat post clamp, thru axles and cables, next to F-Surface Plus, F-Wings and spacer profile updates. On this bike every rider is able to find his perfect position accurate to 1mm as result of our whole bike approach, where every part needs to fit together perfectly.
Frame weight: N/O
RIDLEY WEBSITE
REVIEWS:
www.cyclingweekly.com/reviews/road-bikes/ridley-noah-fast
www.cyclist.co.uk/reviews/5624/ridley-noah-fast-disc-review
MERCKX 525
Merckx 525 Disc
Our 525 is the ultimate in balancing weight, aero and comfort. It will partner with Oliver Naesen on cobblestones or while battling the wind in the toughest Classics. Romain Bardet will use the bike during the toughest days in Grand Tours and Classics. Finding balance is the hardest thing in the world, but if you succeed it will be completely perfect.
Frame Weight: 925 g.
MERCKX WEBSITE
REVIEWS:
www.cyclist.co.uk/reviews/8007/eddy-merckx-525-disc-review
pezcyclingnews.com/readersrigs/readers-rigs-eddy-merckx-em525-performance-disc/
MERIDA REACTO
Merida Reacto CF5
Our high-performance carbon models with the CF5 frame feature a completely cable integrated Vision Metron 5D ACR carbon cockpit, improving aerodynamics and offering a super clean silhouette and cockpit area.
With aerodynamic optimisation at the fork, seat stays and a cable integrated cockpit the new REACTO offers even better values than its already class-topping predecessor.
Comfort has always been a key feature of the REACTO. Many aero bikes suffer from a harsh ride due to the larger tube sections and seat posts. Not so on the REACTO, where our profiled seat post behaves like a conventional seat post providing a significant level of comfort amongst other aero bikes.
Frame Weight: M/L approx. 950 g.
MERIDA WEBSITE
REVIEWS:
granfondo-cycling.com/first-review-2021-merida-reacto/
STORCK
Storck Aerfast3
In terms of weight, rigidity and especially aerodynamics, the Aerfast3 Pro Disc was developed at the highest level. The light frame is made of the highest quality carbon fibers. A special feature is the complete system integration of the brake and shift cables. The fork, which was specially designed for the Aerfast3, supports an optimization of the air flow thanks to its wide construction and also offers a large tire clearance. Due to the high rigidity values, the Aerfast3 delivers optimal power transmission. If you want to be very sporty on the road and value perfect driving characteristics and speed, you cannot do without this bike.
Frame weight: 990 g.
STORCK WEBSITE
REVIEWS:
bikerumor.com/2020/11/10/storck-aerfast-3-aims-for-lighter-faster-more-aerodynamic-road-bike-now-w-disc-brakes/
What do you think should top the list of the best Racing Bikes of 2021?
Write you comments below.
Also read the first part of – Best bikes 2021
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Riding to the top of Etna with a group of Gentlemen and Ladies. The weather turns from cloudy to snowstorm. At the cafe on the top, I tell the group that there is to option to get down the mountain: 1. I call for 2 mini busses to pick us up. The con of this solution is that you have to wait several hours for your rescue. Option 2: we descent down this will mean that you will freeze for around 25 min. more than you have ever frozen in your life. What are you going to do?